Air cylinder locking means for spinning mold fixtures



April 3, 1956 1.. BERG 2,740,159

AIR CYLINDER LOCKING MEANS FOR SPINNING MOLD FIXTURES Filed Aug. 30, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. LEO BERG April 3, 1956 BERG 2,740,159

AIR CYLINDER LOCKING MEANS FOR SPINNING MOLD FIXTURES Filed Aug. 30, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR. I LEO BERG BY l/ ,1

April 3, 1956 L. BERG 2,740,159

AIR CYLINDER LOCKING MEANS FOR SPINNING MOLD FIXTURES Filed Aug. 30, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I; N All t "I. .l' U U k t I 3 INVENTOR. Z7 3 y LEO BERG BY W United States Patent LOCKING MEANS FOR SPINNING MOLD FIXTURES Leo Berg, Hollis, N. Y. Application August 30, 1952, Serial-No. 36:7,337 1 Claim. (Cl. 1826) AIR CYLINDER and improved machine described hereinafter in greater detail, comprisesgenorally, an upstanding rotatable shaft, a depending. shaft axially aligned with and spaced from the first named shaft, and a closure plate rotatably secured to the depending end of the second named shaft.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a simple and efiicient means for producing bubble free hollow articles, such as doll heads and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a molding machine of the spinning type in which the mold is securely held at opposite ends.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a molding machine of the spinning type in which the molding material is sealed in the mold during spinning.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a molding machine adapted to operate with molds of various sizes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a molding machine of the spinning type having a minimum of moving parts.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a molding machine which reduces production time and loss of material.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a molding machine which is simple and durable, which is elfective for its intended purposes and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention showing a mold in operating position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a rear fragmentary view showing the valve actuating means.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front elevation view showing an alternate position of movement of the closure plate in dotted outline.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the embodiment of the invention illustrated therein comprises a frame, generally designated 10, which includes a pair of spaced standards or uprights 11 and 12, and a cross member 13. A pair of base or mounting plates 14 and 15 are arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other and fixedly secured to base 16 by volts 17. Each of the uprights 11 and 12 include a pair of vertically disposed parallel spaced rods or poles 18, 19, 20, and 21 having their'lower endsfixedly securedin base plates 14 and 15.. The cross'member 13 extends between the uprights 11 and Hand is formed .tov receive the end portions of rods 18, 19, and 21, which rods are provided with threaded portionsadjacent'their upper ends forengagement with hold-down nuts 22 and23.

Extending upwardly through base 16 and journaled therein is a rotatable stub-shaft 24, which is spaced.

below and under the cross member 13. The stub-shaft 24is adapted to be rotatively. driven by means as the bevel gears 25, 261A bushing,27formed in the bottom.

of a mold 28 is frictionally secured to the upper end ofthe stub-shaft 24.

Depending from cross memb'e1i13 in axial alignment with and spaced above stub shaft 2'4'is'a vertically'shift able shaft 29. Mounted-on the=upperside of'cross'member 13 is a vertically disposed cylinder 30 which is arranged in alignment with shafts 24 and 29. The upper end of shaft 29, extends through cross member 13 and is secured to a piston 31, the latter being'slidable in cylin-- der: 30". CylinderxSll provided: with conduitcormecztions 32 and 33 adjacent its opposite ends, and a blowoif valve 34 in its upper end.

Adjacent the lower end of shaft 29 is a mold closure plate, generally designated 35. The closure plate is composed of a lower disc 36 having a cavity 37 formed in its lower face 38.

On top of the disc 36 an integral upper disc 39, is formed which is provided with a thrust bearing 40 for engagement with the depending end of shaft 29. The thrust bearing 40 may be of conventional design, such as ball, or roller and is not shown in detail.

For connecting the cylinder 30 to a source of fluid pressure, not shown, a two-way or multiple valve, generally designated 50, is mounted on the upper side of cross member 13. The valve is provided with a coupling 51 for connection with a source of fluid pressure, and isalso provided with conduit connections 52 and 53 for communication with the lower and upper ends of cylinder 30, respectively. It has been found preferable to use flexible conduit such 50 is secured to cross member 13 by the bolts 56 and is provided with a vertically swinging actuating lever 57 and hand knob 58.

In operation, the mold 28 is coupled to shaft 24 and a quantity of fluid vinyl molding compound is inserted therein. It is appreciated that the molding compound may be inserted prior to positioning the mold on shaft 24. The shaft 29 is lowered by fluid pressure in the upper end of cylinder 30 and a gasket or rubber sheet 60 in the recess 37 is forced against the mold to seal the opening therein. Of course, the closure plate 35 is connected to shaft 29 through the thrust bearing 40 and moved in closing relation with respect to mold 28 before the mold is positioned on shaft 24.

With the fluid pressure in the upper end of cylinder 30 holding the closure plate firmly against the mold 28, rotative movement of the mold 28 is effected through the beveled gears 25 and 26, by a motor or other means, not shown. The rotative or spinning movement of the mold 28 causes the molding material to flow outwardly against the surfaceof the mold, the gases being forced out of the molding material. Thus, it is seen that a bubble free prodnot will be produced. By this invention, the spinning may be at relatively high speed and it is seen that no molding material can be lost. In practice, a spinning period of 15 seconds has proved satisfactory. After spinning, the mold is removed for heat treatment and liquid cooling, and then the finished article may be pulled out of the mold.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the invention provides a much safer and faster molding operation than heretofore known in the art. As the mold is firmly se- Fatented Apr. 3, 1956 as shown at 54 and 55. The two-way valve is also apparent that the device is adaptable to all size molds, as the closure plate is vertically shiftable with shaft 29 and can be held firmly against a mold in any position of its vertical movement.

The device may be fabricated of any suitable material, such as Wood, plastic or metal but it is preferred to select materials having a high resistance to shock and vibration.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is: I

A device for molding hollow articles comprising a base, an upstanding shaft rotatably mounted on said base and adapted to support a mold, a frame mounted on said base and extending over said shaft, 21 second shaft depending from said frame in axially aligned spaced relation with respect to said first named shaft and movable toward and away from the latter, a means for moving said second shaft toward and away from said first shaft, a mold closure plate arranged transversely of said second shaft adjacent the depending end thereof and rotatably secured thereto, said means comprising an upstanding cylinder arranged above said second shaft and mounted on said frame, a piston slidable in said cylinder and connected to said second shaft, said cylinder being adapted for connec tion to a source of fluid pressure for effecting the movement of said piston.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Woock Feb. 11, 1947 

